Start times concern Newport Elementary

Talk about it

Staffers from at least one District 833 school have expressed concerns about the ripple effects of plans to make high schools’ start times later in fall of 2009.

Board Member Jim Gelbmann said at a school board workshop Feb. 4 that Newport Elementary School staff members told him they could not support a later start time for the high schools because the only time discussed for their school is 9:20 a.m. Their current start time is 8:10 a.m.

Many parents are “shift” workers who start work at 8 a.m., Gelbmann said.

“They feel that because their school is so small, that they don’t have much say,” he said.

Task Force Facilitator Dave Bernhardson said some remedial classes, now held after school, could take place before school when there is a late start time.

The task force also discussed the effects of later starts on after-school activities.

“Whatever time you pick, we’ll make it work,” said Woodbury High School Principal Linda Plante, “and so will the Suburban East Conference.”

Tags: start times, school district 833, newport elementary school